JP5462188B2 - Inhaler - Google Patents

Description

  The invention relates to an inhaler according to claim 1 or 8.

  The present invention relates to an inhaler for delivering a powdered inhalant from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets (also called blisters) containing a dose of inhalant.

  German Patent 2,407,042 (A) discloses an inhaler with a retractable blister strip. The inhaler includes a manually operated pivotable actuator that actuates the transport device to move the blister strip in stages. The actuator supports the penetrating material and associated mouthpiece. By pivoting the actuator, the blister strip can move forward and sequentially penetrate the blister pockets of the blister strip. As the patient inhales in the air stream through the perforated blister pocket, the blister pocket inhalant mixes with the air and is released to the patient.

German Patent No. 2407042 (A)

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an inhaler with a simple and / or compact structure that allows optimized transport and / or storage of blister strips.

  The above object is achieved by an inhaler according to claim 1 or 8. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

  One aspect of the present invention is to provide a flexible or stretchable, preferably helical guide element, the guide element comprising a corrugated attachment supported between first and second supports. The two tips such that the guide is at least partially covered by the attachment and / or the guide element comprises a free end having the highest locality, flexibility and / or stretchability of the guide element A free end with a section and / or a slit. This provides a simple and compact structure that preferably provides optimized transport and / or storage of the blister strips used.

  In one or additional aspects according to the invention, the inhaler comprises a metal guide element that is electropolished to reduce the sliding friction of the blister strip in the guide element. This also results in a simple and compact structure with optimized transport and / or storage of the blister strip.

  Further aspects, features, characteristics and advantages of the invention are explained in the claims and in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the inhaler which is not provided with the mouthpiece cover. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inhaler with a closed mouthpiece cover. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a guide element of an inhaler.

  In the figures, the same reference numbers are used for identical or similar parts, even if repeated descriptions are omitted. And in particular, the same or consistent advantages and characteristics may result or be achieved.

  FIG. 1 shows the inhaler 1 in a schematic cross-sectional view.

  The inhaler 1 serves to deliver the powdered inhalant from the band-shaped blister strip 2. The blister strip 2 is finite and not an endless or closed loop. Each has a number of blister pockets 3 containing a single dose of loose inhalant. That is, the preparation is weighed in advance.

  The inhaler 1 has a reservoir 4 for a still unused blister strip 2 with a closed (sealed) blister pocket 3. The blister strip 3 is wound up or rolled up in the reservoir 4. In the example shown, the reservoir 4 is configured so that the blister strip 2 can be moved out of the reservoir 4 or pulled out as easily as possible.

  In the example shown, the blister strip 2 is received directly in the reservoir 4. However, alternatively, a cassette, container, drum, or the like can also be fitted or inserted into the blister strip 2 in the inhaler 1 or reservoir 4.

  The inhaler 1 steps in the direction of the arrow 5a for each blister pocket 3 each time in order to continue to supply the blister pocket 3 to the opening and / or removal position 6 where each blister pocket 3 can be opened and emptied. A transport device 5 for moving forward.

  The blister pockets 3 can each preferably be opened by means of a penetrating member 7 which cuts the lids of the blister pockets 3 respectively arranged at position 6 by perforation. The penetrating member 7 is hollow and is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece 8 of the adjacent inhaler 1.

  Although not shown, during or for inhalation, the patient or user inhales with the mouthpiece 8 in his mouth. The blister pockets 3 in which the penetrating member 7 is stretched and opened respectively are emptied by suction. The air flow 9 of the outside air forms a powder 10 (forms an inhalant and is schematically shown only in the actually opened blister pocket 3 under the mouthpiece 8 in FIG. 1) Through the blister pocket 3 that has been sucked and dispensed with the outside air sucked in as aerosol mist 11.

  The inhaler 1 has a lever-type actuator 12 which is pivotally attached to the housing 19 of the inhaler 1 and is preferably manually operable.

  The penetrating member 7 and the mouthpiece 8 are attached to and supported by the actuator 12.

  The actuator 12 is operable (pivotable) so that the penetrating member 7 pierces the lids of the blister pockets 3 respectively arranged at the position 6 below the mouthpiece 8.

  When the actuator 12 pivots (in this case, counterclockwise) from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position, the penetrating member 7 is pulled out from the blister pocket 3 that has been finally penetrated.

  The blister strip 2 is then moved forward by one blister pocket 3, thereby moving the next blister pocket 3 to position 6.

  When the actuator 12 is pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 1, ie manually returned, the blister pockets 3 of the next aligned blister strip 2 are pierced by the penetrating member 7 and thereby opened. The next inhalation can then take place, i.e. the inhaler 1 is activated.

  The inhaler 1 has a receiving space or device 13 for receiving or storing a used part of the blister strip 2. The receiving space or device 13 is preferably formed so that the used part can be rolled up. FIG. 1 shows a situation with an essentially filled reservoir 4 and an essentially empty receiving space 13.

  The conveying device 5 comprises a conveying wheel 14 which can be engaged between the blister pockets 3, i.e. convey the blister strip 2 in a fixed or conformable manner. This allows the desired and / or necessary blister strip 2 to be moved or indexed securely or accurately.

  The conveying device 5 or its conveying wheel 14 is arranged between the reservoir 4 and the receiving device 13, in particular between the take-out position 6 and the receiving device 13, i.e. after the blister pocket 3 has been emptied.

  The pivot axis of the actuator 12 is coaxial with the rotation axis of the transport wheel 14. Specifically, the actuator 12 may be supported by the axle of the transport wheel 14.

  The inhaler 1 includes a mouthpiece cover 15. The mouthpiece cover 15 is not shown in FIG. 1 for explaining the basic principle of the inhaler 1, but is shown in FIG. 2, which shows a more realistic yet schematic cross-section of the inhaler 1. FIG. 2 shows the inhaler 1 with a closed mouthpiece cover 15 with the blister strip 2 partially omitted for illustration purposes.

  The inhaler 1 or the receiving device 13 comprises a guide element 20 for receiving and / or guiding the blister strip 2, in particular a used part of the blister strip 2.

  The guide element 20 is preferably flexible and / or stretchable. Preferably it is made of metal, in particular spring steel.

  The guide element 20 is preferably attached or fixed only to the attachment part 21, in particular to this part 21.

  FIG. 2 shows an open inhaler 1 with an attached guide element 20. FIG. 3 shows the region of the attachment part 21 of the guide element 20 in the enlarged partial view of FIG. FIG. 4 shows only the guide element 20, in particular the form or state before assembly.

  Preferably, the guide element 20 comprises a helix or essentially has the form of a helix.

  The guide element 20 is preferably supported in conformity with the mounting end, in particular with its mounting 21. However, it may have any other suitable form.

  Preferably, the attachment 21 is essentially straight, but is curved or bent and / or comprises a corrugation 22 as shown schematically in FIGS. This facilitates an installation that is preferably adapted to the form.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in detail in FIG. 3, the attachment portion 21 having the waveform 22 is supported between the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24. The supports 23, 24 are preferably fixed and / or molded and / or interconnected or formed on the housing 19 of the inhaler 1 or any other suitable component of the inhaler 1.

  Preferably, the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 are formed by different halves of the housing 19 or the same half of the housing 19.

  In particular, the support parts 23 and 24 are provided or formed with a slit between them for receiving or supporting the guide element 20 or the attachment part 21. The opposite surfaces of the two supports 23, 24 are preferably essentially complementary.

  Preferably, the guide element 20 may be inserted into the first half of the housing 19 in the first step. The housing 19 is then closed by the second half of the housing 19 in a second step so that the mounting part 21 is supported in a manner adapted to the housing 19.

  The guide element 20 preferably comprises a free end 25 or a slit 27 with two tips and / or two tapered portions 26. This facilitates optimized guidance of the blister strip 2.

  In this embodiment, the free end 25 is basically in the form of a snake tongue, ie, a longitudinally extending slit 27 and has two tips 26 that increase the distance between the ends toward the ends.

  In particular, the free end 25 has the highest curvature of the guide element 20 as well as flexibility and / or stretchability.

  The slit 27 and / or the tapered portion 26 (as outlined above) facilitates the manufacture of the guide element 20, in particular the fins or ribs produced in production may stop the blister strip 2, in particular its free end. Avoid things that may or may not get in the way.

  The inhaler 1 preferably includes a guide 28 as shown in FIGS. The guide 28 is preferably inclined and / or similar to an inclined surface. The guide 28 facilitates the insertion or insertion of the free end or tip of the blister strip 2 into the guide element 20. That is, it facilitates transport, in particular extruding the blister strip 2 into the guide element 20 without any obstacles.

  The guide 28 is preferably formed by the housing 19 and in particular is integrally formed on one half of the housing 19.

  As the blister strip 2 is transported, it is preferably pushed into the guide element 20. The blister strip 2 is wound up on the guide element 20. In particular, the free end 25 bends the free end of the blister strip 2 so that the center to be wound is formed by the end bent to the inside of the blister strip 2.

  As the transport of the blister strip 2 into the guide element 20 increases, the guide element 20 bulges in the radial direction and / or is used for the outer part, in particular in the wound form inside or at the center of the guide element 20 Guide the used blister strip 2.

  In order to reduce the sliding resistance of the blister strip 2 on the guide element 20, the guide element 20 is preferably ground, in particular electrically or electrophoretically.

  Preferably, the guide element 20 is made of high quality steel, in particular steel 1.4302. In particular, the guide element 20 is made of a metal band having a thickness of about 0.08 to 0.10 mm, preferably about 0.09 mm, a length of about 100 to 150 mm, and / or a width of about 16 to 18 mm. ing.

  With the guide element 20 described above, the blister strip 2 can be guided and / or stored in an optimized manner, resulting in a very simple and compact structure. Furthermore, simple installation is possible.

  Preferably, the inhaler 1 is portable, functions only mechanically and / or is held and operated by hand.

  Preferably, the terms “blister strip” and “blister pocket” should be understood in a very broad sense, so as to extend to other types of storage means, even with containers for formulation or even bulk storage .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inhaler 2 Blister strip 3 Blister pocket 4 Reservoir 5 Transport device 5a Forward movement 6 Opening and / or removal position 7 Penetration member 8 Mouthpiece 9 Air flow 10 Powder 11 Aerosol mist 12 Actuator 13 Receiving device 14 Transport wheel 15 Mouse Piece cover 19 Housing 20 Guide element 21 Mounting portion 22 Waveform 23 First support portion 24 Second support portion 25 Free end portion 26 Front end portion 27 Slit 28 Guide portion

Claims (16)

What inhaler (1) der for delivery of the inhalation formulation from a blister strip Luba command shape comprising a plurality of blister pockets (3) containing a dose amount of inhalant (2),
The inhaler (1), the outside air of the air stream (9), for releasing or we each dose fraction unwrapped blister pocket (3), and to deliver together with the outside air as a mist (11) of the aerosol it is designed so as to be able to feed us,
The inhaler (1) comprises a flexible of the guide elements of the guide Kutame the blister strip (2) (20),
Mounting portion of the front Symbol guiding element (20) is a waveform (22) comprises a (21),
The guide element (20) is supported held between the first support portion (23) and the second support section (24),
The guide element (20) or the mounting portion (21), characterized in Rukoto covered at least in part by the guide section (28), the inhaler (1).   In order for the guide element (20) to have the highest curvature, flexibility or stretchability at the free end (25) of the guide element (20), the guide element (20) has two tips and Inhaler (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the free end (25) having a slit (27) with / or two tapered portions (26). Inhaler (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the guide element (20) is made of steel . The first support portion (23) and said second support portion (24), characterized in that it is made Rikatachi by the housing (19) of the inhaler (1), one of the claims 1 to 3 or inhaler according to item 1 (1). Characterized in that said first support portion (23) and said second support portion (24) is a phase complementary manner, inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4 (1). The first support portion (23) and said second support portion (24), for receiving the guide element (20), and forming a slit in Uchima any of claims 1 to 5 The inhaler (1) according to claim 1 . It said first supporting lifting unit (23) and forming pre-Symbol guiding portion (28), inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6 (1). The guide portion (28), characterized in that it is inclined obliquely to facilitate be transported before Symbol blister strip (2) to said guide element (20) in any of claims 1 to 7 The inhaler (1) according to claim 1 . 請 Motomeko inhaler according to any one of 1 to 8 I (1) Der, said guiding element (20) is made of metal, and the blister strip in the guide element (20) (2) Inhaler (1), characterized in that it is electropolished to reduce its sliding resistance. 10. The inhaler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a receiving device (13) that contains the guide element (20) for a used blister strip (2). The inhaler (1) described in 1 . Characterized the Turkey with the guide element (20) husk plugs portion, inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10 (1). Characterized in that it is made the guide element (20) starved over preparative Material or al, inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 11 (1). The mounting portion (21), characterized in that it or bent curved An inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 12 (1). The mounting portion (21), characterized in that it is inserted between the two fixed support section, inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 13 (1). The inhaler (1), characterized in that it comprises a carrying device for extruding the blister strip (2) the guide element (20) in the (5), any one of claims 1 to 14 The inhaler (1) described in 1 . The blister strip (2) is closed, characterized in that not and endless without forming a loop, inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 15 (1).

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